The Schnapsen Log

The Schnapsen Log is a series about the card game Schnapsen, and how
to play it like a master. Schnapsen is the national card game of
Austria and Hungary. It is very similar to the German game
Sechsundsechzig (Sixty-six). These games are popular throughout
Europe, where they go by various regional names, including Snapszer,
Snapszli, Hatvanhat, Mariagen-Spiel, Mariáš, Santase, Tute, and
Exinta-exi. Schnapsen is easy to learn, requires only one other
willing player (or a computer program, always willing), is quick and
fun to play, and is full of interesting strategy.

My goal in this series is to teach you everything you need to know
about the strategy for winning Schnapsen. I will present
thought-provoking situations that arise commonly in Schnapsen, in a
manner very similar to the daily newspaper’s bridge or chess columns.
Here are a few of the most recent columns. Check out the archives
for older columns.

Homework on Expected Values

Martin TompaJanuary 29, 2015

I am once again teaching a course on Probability and
Statistics, using Schnapsen as a running example of
applications of Probability. It’s been fun teaching Schnapsen to a
large group of students who had never encountered it before.

In the course, we are just up to the topic of expected value now, so
it seems appropriate to give them a homework exercise that involves
expected game points. Today’s column is that homework
exercise. This means that I won’t be posting my analysis until one
week from now, when the homework will be due. A similar homework
exercise appeared as a column last year.

You have just started a new game against the Maestro. On the
very first deal, you reach the following interesting position…

A Vulnerable Hand

Point of Order

Martin TompaDecember 1, 2014

It is a crystal clear Sunday afternoon and that means all your
relatives are once again visiting. And, once again, you are sitting
across the card table from your favorite Uncle Tibor, wrapped up in
your favorite game. So far, Tibor has gotten the best of it….

About the Author

I am a Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at the
University of Washington, where I teach discrete mathematics, logic,
probability, design and analysis of algorithms, and other related
courses. I have always loved playing games. Games are great tools for
learning to think logically but, more important, seem to me an
integral part of happy family or social life. I will be delighted if
game-players, parents, teachers, and students find this series fun and
useful.

My excitement about Schnapsen was rekindled by playing against an
iPhone program called Master Schnapsen/66 written by two
friends at Psellos. Set to play at its “Master” level of difficulty,
this program is one of the two most formidable opponents I have found.
It comes up with surprising and brilliant plays, and I have learned an
enormous amount of Schnapsen strategy by playing with it. Nearly
every deal in this Schnapsen Log arose during those hours of playing
with Master Schnapsen/66.